Nikon Z6 Z7 - Blurry images when using Mechanical Shutter and VR on

Hello guys,

Nikon z6 and z7 have a serious problem that you may not notice or notice sometimes. When using the Mechanical Shutter with the VR on at shutter speeds around 1/100 the images are blurry. The test is shown here:  https://z6blurry.000webhostapp.com/

I have took my z6 to Nikon and they said that the camera is ok like that.

We don't use VR when the device is stable.

It's a well-known truism that, when using a tripod (or setting your camera on a tabletop) you turn VR off to keep it from trying to do something.

I think this is a flawed test.

Please take a look at all the tests before saying that the test is flawed.

Although I may agree with you at lower shutter speeds, it's not entirely true at 1/125s shutter speed. Here is why:

-EFCS + VR-on on the table(tripod variable) is sharp compared to Mechanical Shutter + VR-on
-D850 + VR lens on the table, all images are sharp, this confirms that the test on the table is ok for a VR lens
-Sony a7iii on the table, all images sharp, this confirms that a similar camera in specs(IBIS, etc.) and price does not have this problem

And if you still say that the table is not ok, no problem. See the handheld tests in the store. Another z6 with the same problem, a z7 with the same problem. You can compare them with the Sony a7iii. And in that test a handheld Mechanical Shutter + VR off image is sharper than a handheld Mechanical Shutter + VR on image. Which makes the VR useless when using Mechanical Shutter at speeds between 1/30s to 1/250s. Basically when you need it the most.


All test prove the same problem: Mechanical Shutter + VR on, handheld or tripod.

Already on other forums others confirmed this problems and others don't have it. The idea is that there is a recall on the Nikon z6/z7 and Nikon does not want to fix the camera if the Serial Number is not in their recall list.

And if you think Nikon does not know, the update firmware forced the Auto Shutter feature that switches from Mechanical Shutter to EFCS at speeds below 1/320s.

Sounds like the Z6 and Z7 are not for you?

This is the actual problem: I really like my Z6 but I am very disappointed that it has this problem and Nikon does not want to repair it, taking in considerations that there is a recall and other users don't have this problem. Being mostly a Nikon shooter for over 10 years, still owning a d800 and a d850, I have never had problems with them, until now.

I also made this for others to know about this problem if they already have a z6/z7 or if they are planning to get one.

A good example of this problem is this: Choosing between a Nikon Z6 and a Canon EOS R, let's say you want that IBIS VR and you notice that the Canon EOS R does not have it and uses the classical lens VR. What do you do? You buy the Z6. Than you see that the Nikon 24-70mm f2.8 has the same price as a Canon 24-70mm with VR. Whaaaat? And than you notice that in some situations your Nikon Z6 produces blurry images with VR, where Canon EOS R has absolutely no problem with the VR lens for the same money? And that is the horrible truth.

And the winner in this situation is the Sony a7iii with IBIS and not having this problem, the images are amazingly sharp in any situation.

Well, the link in the OP is dead. So there's that.

Second, I don't shoot at 1/125s or slower. Why would anyone? There are almost no situations where I am prevented from moving up to a shutter speed that (properly) freezes action, compensating with aperture or ISO. And using a tripod, I turn off any stabilization assist. I'd likely never have seen this problem. Does that minimize it? No, of course not.

Third, if the solution to the design flaw is to switch to electronic shutter, then Nikon is aware of the problem. Not sure why that's not an acceptable work-around.

However: given what was discovered in the FW update, we hope that the users hound Nikon for a real fix.

The link is working for me, but you can try this:  bit.ly/Z6blurry    do you own a z6 or z7?

"Why would anyone?" I can understand you, maybe in your line of work you don't shoot at that SS, but others use those speeds. Also the images are blurry between 1/30s and 1/250s with Mechanical Shutter and VR on, where VR should actually help.

Some examples: Many street photographers shoot handheld at speeds around 1/50s, especially in low light to not crank up the ISO, that is the point of the VR to help at those speeds. Doing landscapes when using small apertures you use those Shutter Speeds. Another good example: Weddings. you don't use tripods, you use flashes. And indoors you use SS around 1/100s with a Mechanical Shutter , because EFCS has sometimes banding with flashes or some indoor lights.

Using always EFCS is not a solution or a work-around. EFCS has many disadvantages like banding. And if you are talking about high speeds for freezing the action. EFCS on a z6/z7 works only until 1/2000s. And even under at 1/2000s for fast moving objects, the subjects can be deformed, rolling shutter effect. Especially when using the Fully Electronic Shutter, Silent as Nikon is calling it.

The Auto Shutter is a work-around but not that good for strobes and flashes when speeds are under 1/320s, but why should we use a work-around for problem that should not be there. We invest a lot of money in this, it's not cheap and certainly not a point and shoot camera or a smartphone camera.

Well said. I really hope that the users hound Nikon for a real fix.